Page 67 of Baby Boy

He walked back into the living room, relieved to see that Avery had stopped shivering and was resting. He picked up his boy’s backpack and opened it. There was a set of extra clothes and a folder of papers. He flipped through the papers and found Avery’s check stubs and bank statements. Ah, his boy had gathered his papers like Jace had asked. What a good boy. In another compartment was his schoolbooks. All he needed was to get his boy dressed and home.

He strolled to the plastic container where clothes were neatly folded. He chose a pair of sweats and a T-shirt. Leaning down next to the futon, he rolled Avery over. Avery blinked his eyes open and whined.

“I know, baby boy,” Jace murmured. “You wanted Jared, remember?”

“I wanna go home,” Avery mumbled. “My bed and jammies.”

“That’s exactly where we’re going. Daddy is going to take you home and take care of you.”

“Yessss,” Avery hissed as Jace helped him sit up. Jace got the sweats and T-shirt on and by the time Avery was holding his lily, he was more coherent. Avery blinked at him. “Jace?”

“Yes, baby boy?” Jace held out Avery’s sneakers so his boy could slip his feet into them.

“How’d you get in here?”

“Jasmin let me in when you wouldn’t answer our calls or texts.”

Avery grunted as he took a step. “Oh. Sorry.”

“Nothing for you to be sorry for,” Jace told him. “Nothing for you to worry about.”

“Cuz you’ll take care of everything?” Avery whispered.

“That’s right. You just do what I say and Daddy will get you fixed right up.”

“I’m glad you came,” Avery said shyly.

“Me too,” Jace responded. “Nothing I want to do more than take care of my boy if he’s sick.”

“So sick.” Avery groaned.

“And Daddy knows what you need.” Jace swung Avery’s backpack over his shoulder and with his boy leaning heavily to his side, walked him out of the apartment. He grabbed Avery’s keys from the hook by the door and locked up before guiding his boy down to the SUV.

He didn’t think Avery was aware of much. The boy rubbed his face against his lily while stumbling along. Jace kept a tight hold of Avery’s waist so his boy wouldn’t fall. When Avery was buckled in and sitting quietly, Jace gave his forehead a kiss, still worried when his lips met the hot flesh.

Jace needed to get some medicine and fluids into Avery before getting him to rest some more. He shot a quick text to Mitch and Grant, asking for help before giving his attention back to his boy. Avery was watching him, but his eyes were heavy and he was barely awake.

“Just rest, baby boy,” Jace urged.

Avery lifted his lily and placed it against the door before leaning over. Once Jace was certain Avery was comfortable, he started to drive back home. That was what Avery had said, that he wanted to ‘go home.’ It made Jace so happy that Avery was starting to see the house as a refuge and where Avery was wanted.

His phone chimed as he drove but with the thin sheet of ice he was driving on, Jace didn’t take his eyes off the road. The conditions weren’t ideal and Jace wouldn’t take a chance with his boy’s safety. Nothing, especially the weather, was going to have Jace put Avery in danger.

Once he pulled up in front of the house, he reached for his phone and smiled. Mitch and Grant were running to the store for them so Jace didn’t have to leave Avery alone.

He sent a quick reply then hurried to get his boy inside. He climbed out of his side and rushed around to get Avery. He opened the door carefully so Avery wouldn’t fall out and gently reached for his boy.

“Wake up, sleepyhead,” Jace cooed. “Let’s get you inside.”

“Home, Daddy?” Avery mumbled his question.

“Yes, you’re home now.”

Avery nodded and reached for him.

“Hold on,” Jace told him. He reached in and undid Avery’s seatbelt before helping him stand. Then he picked Avery up before quickly walking up the entrance as careful as possible. He didn’t want to slip and fall while carrying his boy. He got the door open and hurried inside. The house was warm and he felt much better having Avery there.

Avery grabbed his stomach and groaned. “My tummy, Daddy.”

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